Pop Burwill in his pub The Albion

Photograph showing Pop Burwill as landlord of his pub The Albion,jesting with a friend. Pop (Jack / John) Burvill (Burwill) who acted as a pilot on many Channel swimming escort and support boats. His first recorded swim was Horace Mew (Shanklin) Aug. 24th. 1905.  England-France. The swim started from the Admiralty Pier at 7 08am.and finished at 1.30pm. Time for the swim was 6hrs. 22mins. and covered a distance 11miles.His last swim was with Beth Wild (Cape Town) Age.221956 July. The swim started midday, July 18th. at St. Margaret’s Bay, and finished 5miles from Calais. It was very cold. The time of the swim was 13hrs.37 minutes. E.F.                                                            A Black and White Photograph. From the Rob Whitewood Collection.